JK News Today
Rajouri/ Poonch, Nov. 28: Director General Rural Sanitation, Jammu & Kashmir, conducted an extensive visit to Poonch & Rajouri districts on Wednesday and Thursday to review the progress of sanitation initiatives under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen (SBM-G). The visit covered multiple blocks, including Satara and Nangali Sahib Sian Baba (NSSB), where a DEWATS (Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System) is proposed to be established.
DEWATS stands for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System. It is a low-cost, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment system that treats sewage close to the point where it is generated at the household, community, institution, or village level.
During the visit, the DG emphasized the critical need to strengthen liquid waste management infrastructure across the district. She directed all Block Development Officers (BDOs) of Rajouri and Poonch to ensure that every shrine, recognizing the high footfall and cultural significance of these locations, should be equipped with DEWATS.
The DG instructed all the BDOs of both the districts to conduct a comprehensive assessment and submit feasibility reports to the Directorate at the earliest, enabling timely planning and execution of DEWATS across identified sites.
Earlier, the DG chaired a block-wise review meeting of both the districts at Poonch which was attended by the Assistant Commissioner Panchayats (ACP), Executive Engineer (Exen), all BDOs, and the REW engineering team comprising AEs and JEs.
The meeting reviewed the status of SBM-G assets, ongoing sanitation works, and strategies to accelerate progress in both solid and liquid waste management.
The DG reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring universal sanitation coverage, strengthening community hygiene, and creating sustainable waste management systems across Poonch district.
The Directorate will continue to monitor progress closely and extend necessary technical and administrative support to achieve the mission’s objectives, she said.
